By John Gibson, JB Linear Music and author of "Advanced Intonation Technique for Clarinets" and "Advanced Clarinet Technique"

As most clarinet players, I alternately enjoy and struggle with trying to play in tune with my fellow musicians.  Not only are our instruments not perfectly in tune with themselves, but when playing in groups the tuning situation can change from one moment to the next.

What to do? First get your tuning note in tune with the group's pitch or an electronic tuner after a warm-up period.  We often tune to an A or Bb concert, but it is also wise to get the throat tone G in tune also. Most tuning is done by pulling the barrel out to bring the pitch lower. Do not pull the mouthpiece. Remember that pulling at the barrel changes the throat tones more than notes with tone holes lower on the instrument. You can also pull out at the middle joint to affect the notes below that point.

Once tuned, you wll then need to adjust pitches to be in tune as the music is being played.  Why? Because:

1. Different instruments respond differently to temperature, range, and volume changes.
2. There are times you need to be aware of the pure tuning of chords called Just Intonation.  More on that later.
3. Not everyone has as good an ear for tuning as you do.

How to adjust while playing: There are three basic ways to change the pitch while playing.

1. One is to change the embouchure by firming around the mouthpiece to go higher or loosening to go lower.  Remember, it is firming, not biting. Some control can be had by pushing upward or relaxing the pressure with the right hand thumb.
2. A better route in some situations is to use alternate fingerings. Get a complete fingering chart. For example, an altissimo G can be fingered many ways and some may be more in tune on your instrument than the standard fingering.  Also, adding fingers or opening tone holes can change intonation as well as resonance.
3. Lastly, shading tone holes is a useful skill.  While playing a low C, lower the right hand fingers close to the tone holes to lower the pitch. A related method is to use half-hole fingerings.

How do you learn what changes to make? Playing with others and making adjustments to make the sound clearer (better in tune) is the best.  Buying an intonation method using a tuner and a CD with tones to match to is an efficient way to train your ears.  Can you tell the difference between an Equal Tempered interval and  Just Tuned interval?

I have written a method just for clarinets that than be very helpful - Advanced Intonation Technique for Clarinets, by John Gibson, JB Linear Music - ISBN 0-9774920-0-1. It can be purchased through several large on-line book sellers or go to JB Linear About Me page

The method and accompanying CDs are a way not only to learn to tune in Equal or Just Intonation, but to sensitize one's ears for the flexibility to play in tune in all situations.  This book is for all clarinets, including Bb and A soprano, Eb soprano, and Bb Bass clarinet.  It includes a 60 page method book, a 70 minute tuning CD, and a 35 minute bonus CD with duets and orchestrated excerpts.

This method is for any intermediate to advanced player who can at least paly a chromatic scale from low E to altissimo G and play in all major keys. This is not a method for beginners.

CONTENTS

• Introductory notes about intonation and scale systems
• Frequently Asked Questions and other helpful hints for clarinets
• CD Tracks
• Examples of Equal and Just tuned intervals
• Tuning notes and chords (G, C and B)
• Long tones over the complete clarinet range
• Short reference tones
• Tuning to 5ths (with separate tracks for Eb soprano and Bb Bass)

John Gibson, JB Linear Music